IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: The upfront approx 30-40% federal subsidy for solar power is under imminent threat. To protect your subsidy use your Solar Choice Quote Comparison to immediately generate an online contract with your preferred installer, any time of the day or night including weekends. Why?

On Thurs, 28 Aug 2014 the federal govt released long-awaited recommendations from the Renewable Energy Target (RET) Review that will either abolish the upfront federal subsidy for solar energy, or severely slash it, for systems up to 100kW.

An announcement from the Govt as to which option it will choose is imminent. Contracts entered into prior to any announcement will protect your subsidy.

How can I generate an online contract immediately to protect the subsidy?

1. Simply complete the green form on this page to obtain your impartial Quote Comparison of leading installers covering your area.

2. Select three installers that best suit your needs and budget to reveal their names and logos, then select your prefered installer by clicking "View and Accept Quote".

3. Follow instructions on deposit payment options, following which you will be emailed a PDF of your Accepted Quote (as will your selected installer who'll contact you, and Solar Choice).

Your subsidy will then very likely be protected under transitional provisions recommended by the RET Review.

Commissioning of Kogan Creek ‘Solar Boost’ project delayed until 2015

Australia will have to wait another year before witnessing the start of production from its first large scale solar thermal energy plant, following delays at the 44MW Kogan Creek solar booster project in Queensland.

The project near Chinchilla in the south west of the state is designed to use solar thermal technology to create steam for use in the coal-fired powered station, and reduce the amount of coal burned.

It was to have been completed late last year, but it seems that delays – apparently the collapse of one of the equipment suppliers and unspecified commercial issues – means it will now not be commissioned until 2015.

The project is using Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology that was developed by Australian-founded Ausra and is now owned by French nuclear giant Areva.

Kogan Creek is owned by CS Energy and the $104 million project is receiving $35 million in grants from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. On completion, it’s believed the solar thermal addition will be the world’s largest solar integration with a coal-fired power station.

Areva said last week that it had encountered “difficulties” at the Kogan Creek project, and CS Energy confirmed the delays.

CS Energy CEO Martin Moore said a “combination of factors”, including the receivership, had flowed into scheduling and commercial issues that CS Energy and AREVA Solar are working to resolve. On-site works had been halted while those issues were resolved.

He expected phase 2 of the construction, which will involve the assembly and lifting of receivers, installation of the remaining reflectors, interconnecting foundations and pipework, the tie-in of SSGs and the interconnection to the power station, to start soon.

“While we are disappointed that the project is taking longer than expected to complete, the issues we’ve been working through are not uncommon for commercial-scale projects,” he said.

Giles Parkinson regularly contributes unique content to Solar Choice News. Giles is the founder and editor of clean energy industry news service RenewEconomy. He is a journalist of 30 years experience, a former Business Editor and Deputy Editor of the Financial Review, a columnist for The Bulletin magazine and The Australian, and the founding editor of Climate Spectator.